Editor’s Note: Mallory Ervin wrote this Chasing the Crown blog during her sister Megan’s participation in the Miss America pageant. But now that Megan is back from her adventure, she wanted to write the final entry.

My experience in Vegas was absolutely a dream come true. As a little girl, I had this huge dream to compete on the Miss America stage – and at the time it seemed unobtainable and unrealistic.

Coming from a small town in central Illinois, I was often advised that while my dream was wonderful and inspirational, it also was a longshot.

But on June 30, 2012, my lifelong dream became a reality as I began my year-long journey as Miss Illinois. On Jan. 12, 2013, this journey became the “year of a lifetime” during the Miss America pageant finals, televised live on ABC.

My lifelong dream reached its full potential in an evening of bliss as my dream blossomed in front of America’s eyes. The vision of standing among the top 10 ladies on that national stage had been a recurring image in my mind not only for years, but vividly and daily for months.

While that night was a whirlwind that seems like an actual dream in my mind, I have distinct memories and moments from my time on stage that evening … moments that will forever be etched into my mind, but most importantly my heart.

The support that I received from small communities in central Illinois are like nothing I had ever experienced before. I could feel the love, encouragement and excitement all the way in Vegas. Almost everyone I met would say that “they so could tell I was a Chicago girl” and would ask me some of my “big city experiences,” and they were shocked when I told them just how BIG my hometown actually was and what my “roots” looked like.

I may have been the most “small-town girl” there, but I can attest to you all … I had the BIGGEST following and support system back here in Illinois. I think the support and “noise” that central Illinois in general made that week is a testament to the character and kind nature of these communities.

I will forever be grateful for this dream that God has graced me with, but most of all I will forever be grateful to my “roots” for making me who I am and supporting me every step of the way.

]]>http://addins.whig.com/blogs/crown/2013/01/megan-ervin-thanks-for-the-love-and-support-during-my-journey/feed0Megan was living her dream right before our eyeshttp://addins.whig.com/blogs/crown/2013/01/megan-was-living-her-dream-right-before-our-eyes
http://addins.whig.com/blogs/crown/2013/01/megan-was-living-her-dream-right-before-our-eyes#commentsMon, 14 Jan 2013 15:00:16 +0000http://addins.whig.com/blogs/crown/?p=5526

I think I speak for all of Megan’s fans when I say that Saturday night was a night that we will remember forever. Megan placed in the top 10, which is absolutely amazing. After every cut that Megan made Saturday night – 15, 12 and finally 10 – it really set in that she was living her dream right before our eyes.

(Editor’s Note: For making the top 10, Megan received a $7,000 scholarship. Plus she won a $1,000 scholarship for her preliminary win in the Lifestyle & Fitness, or swimsuit, prelim.)

After the pageant, we went to a reception for Megan and were able to spend some much-needed time with her. Once we got back, I realized that the one thing I admire the most is that throughout this entire journey, Megan is still the same Megan. She has stayed true to herself along the way, and never strayed from her roots and values.

Many of the fans that came to Vegas have followed Megan throughout every pageant she’s ever been in. This close-knit group of supporters have became an extended family. Having such a large following says something about our community and surrounding area. What a support system!

We all left Vegas Sunday on such a positive note. We could not be any prouder of Megan. She has inspired so many, and serves as an example that dreams can come true!

Megan got a chance to shine on the Miss America telecast, making a Top 10 finish.

Congratulations to Megan for her Top 10 finish! For a story about the finals, Megan’s journey and reaction of supporters, click here.

The Herald-Whig held a live chat during the pageant and followed the conversation on this blog, and on Facebook and Twitter. Here are some of our favorite comments:

Candice Caldwell (Megan’s high school friend) on the live chat: It’s amazing what she has already accomplished. Coming from a small town, we don’t have as many outlets for opportunities like people do in bigger cities. However, Megan has proved that anything is possible no matter where you come from. She is a great role model for kids, her own peers as well as children.

Lindsey Hess, executive director of Miss Quincy Scholarship Program, on the live chat: She met her goal!

Bobette Cawthon on Twitter: Megan totally owned that stage! She has nothing to be ashamed of! What she achieved is amazing! She is my hero … so proud!

Miss Gem City 2012 Celeste Niemann on the live chat: Megan made it to the Top 10! She surpassed (her) personal goal and I’m so happy for her.I know her family, friends and all of Quincy are proud of her!

Miss Quincy 1978 Cindy Spake on the blog: So proud of your representation of our city! Wow! Great job.

Miss Quincy 2009 Kellea Dietrich Hendrian on the live chat: Megan made IL proud! She should feel proud of her representation of IL and of herself!

Dave Ulrich on the live chat: We are proud of you Megan.

Stacey on the live chat: She rocked it! How awesome!

Kristin on the live chat: Megan just looks like the picture of health!

Leslie on the live chat: Miss IL is stunning.

Cathy O on the blog: All through high school and college, Megan has (shown) her stage presence. I can think of no better stage for her to be on than the Miss America stage! … I’ve never been THIS excited for the Miss America pageant!

Jen Drew on the live chat: We are so proud of Megan. She did great!

Cheyanne Flynn on Facebook: We are all extremely proud of her (no) matter what!

Susie Jones on Facebook: Bummer! Missed the top 5, but so very proud of her for getting to the top ten. Way to go Megan! That’s nothing to sneeze at!

And we were honored to have Mary Lee Inzerello Noonan, Miss Adams County and Miss Illinois 1966, on our live chat. Here are some of her comments during the pageant:

• Interesting to me that Megan’s “strong suit” is the swim suit competition – that was my “strength” too. I also did dance for my talent.

• Megan’s gown is gorgeous and shows her lovely figure and has elegance.

• Megan appears to have a charming and cheerful presence. If that comes through in her interviews, big plus.

• You know these young women are all winners and will have many opportunities as a result of this experience. Having been ‘a loser’ I can attest the many benefits including knowing your own resilience and capacity for work and responsibility. This is the kind of effort that truly depends on the person.

• Tough to have come so far. Megan is very well and deserves applause, applause, applause.

• Quincy will be proud of her for years & years! Megan acquitted herself well in every competition. She obviously is a dynamic young woman. I wish her well in any endeavor she chooses in (the) future. I can tell her that in 40 years, people will remember and know she is beautiful.

Tonight’s the big night and letters of support for Megan keep pouring in. Here’s one:

Dear Megan,

As I mentioned to (your) business manager after meeting you, “You have a winner here.” However, take nothing for granted, stay confident, and stay focused; the ultimate goal is not to have any regrets when it is over.

Remember you have nothing to lose; years from now you, your family and friends will be able to look back and say, “she did it.”

So, reach down deep inside, give them your best and you will find success. And always remember, if you want something you will find a way, if you don’t you’ll find an excuse.

Megan competes in the Lifestyle and Fitness (swimsuit) preliminary on Wednesday.

Herald-Whig Staff Writer David Adam tries to use previous years’ results to project Megan’s chances of making the Top 15, making the Top 5 and even winning the Miss America crown.

OK, it’s impossible to handicap the Miss America pageant unless you’re in Vegas during the week and getting to watch the contestants perform. However, by looking back at scholarship awards given in preliminary competitions since 2003 (2005 awards were not available on the Miss America website), it gives the casual viewer an idea of what could be expected.

Three scholarships are given in preliminary competitions during the week leading up to the pageant in the talent category and the lifestyle/ fitness category.

The facts:

• The woman crowned Miss America each year since 2006 has won a preliminary competition.
• A preliminary talent or lifestyle/fitness winner has placed in the top five 23 times (out of a possible 45 places) since 2003.
• Of the 54 contestants who have won a preliminary talent or lifestyle/fitness scholarship, 37 of them have made the top 15.

The fact that Miss Illinois, Rushville’s Megan Ervin, won the Lifestyle/Fitness preliminary competition on Wednesday night at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas means that her chances of making the top 15, or the top five, or even win the crown, are greatly enhanced.

68.5 percent of preliminary winners have made the final 15 since 2003.

42.5 percent of the preliminary winners have made the final 5 since 2003.

Reporter Robin Leach of the Las Vegas Sun (and yes, also of “The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”) called Ervin a “knockout statuesque Miss Illinois” in his rundown of Wednesday’s preliminaries.

2012
Miss America won preliminary talent
First runner-up won preliminary talent
Second runner-up won preliminary lifestyle/fitness
Third runner-up won preliminary lifestyle/fitness
One of the top 10 won preliminary lifestyle/fitness
(Miss Utah won preliminary lifestyle/fitness but did not make final 15)

2011
Miss America won preliminary talent
Second runner-up won preliminary lifestyle/fitness
Fourth runner-up won preliminary lifestyle/fitness
One of the top 15 won preliminary talent
(Miss Alabama won preliminary lifestyle/fitness, and Miss North Carolina won preliminary talent, but neither made the final 15)

2010
Miss America won preliminary talent
First runner-up won preliminary talent
One of the top 15 won preliminary lifestyle/fitness
(Miss Michigan won preliminary talent, Miss New York and Miss Puerto Rico won preliminary lifestyle/fitness, but none of them made the final 15)

2009
Miss America won preliminary lifestyle/fitness
First runner-up won preliminary talent
Third runner-up won preliminary lifestyle/fitness
One of the top 15 won preliminary talent
(Miss Mississippi won preliminary lifestyle/fitness and Miss Vermont won preliminary talent, and neither made the final 15)

2008
Miss America won preliminary lifestyle/fitness
One of the top 8 won preliminary lifestyle/fitness
One of the top 10 won preliminary talent
(Miss Massachusetts and Miss Connecticut won preliminary talent, Miss Rhode Island won preliminary lifestyle/fitness, and none made the final 16)

2007
Miss America won preliminary lifestyle/fitness
First runner-up won preliminary talent
Two of the top 10 won preliminary talent
One of the top 10 won lifestyle/fitness talent
(Miss Nebraska won preliminary lifestyle/fitness talent and didn’t make the top 16)

2006
Miss America won preliminary talent
Third runner-up won preliminary lifestyle/fitness
Fourth runner-up won preliminary lifestyle/fitness
One of the top 10 won preliminary talent
(Miss Utah won preliminary lifestyle/fitness, Miss California won preliminary talent, neither made the top 10)

2005
No information available

2004
First runner-up won preliminary lifestyle/fitness
Fourth runner-won won preliminary talent
One of the top 10 won preliminary talent
(Miss Florida and Miss Utah won preliminary lifestyle/fitness, Miss Massachusetts won preliminary talent, none of them made the top 10)

2003
First runner-up won preliminary talent
Second runner-up won preliminary talent
Fourth runner-up won preliminary lifestyle/fitness
Two of the top 10 won preliminary lifestyle/fitness
One of the top 10 won preliminary talent

What a great performance by Megan last night. Her lyrical dance was beautiful and elegant. She danced to the song “Faithfully” by Journey.

One of the most touching moments of the evening was at the meet-and-greet after the pageant. Megan came out and had tears in her eyes. She said that before she went on stage she got on her knees and prayed and talked to our Grandpa Jim. Grandpa passed away in February of last year. Megan said that the feeling she had while on stage last night was like nothing she’s felt before. No doubt in my mind that Grandpa was with us last night.

Megan is in very good spirits. Now the wait until Saturday night. The pageant will kick off with a pre-show at 7 p.m. (central time). The actual pageant will begin at 8 p.m., and the top 15 will be announced shortly after the show begins.

The support from back home is pouring in. I’ve heard from many restaurants who are having “Miss America” parties on Saturday, offering specials and having TVs so that customers can watch the pageant. How awesome!